GIFT HORSE

Original 10 inch x 8 inch Black and White Portrait of SONNY TUFTS in the 1952 Compton Bennett War Film THE GIFT HORSE.

In 1940, the Captain of an old Royal Navy destroyer struggles with his crew, as well as the Nazis.

Portrait by Eric Gray. Gray entered films as assistant cinema manager in 1919. His first film still assignment was with Herbert Wilcox in 1926. After this he worked for First National of America in France and England, and Welsh-Pearson films in 1927. He covered Shooting Stars and Cottage on Dartmoor for Anthony Asquith.

He had his own portrait studio from 1931-1940 at 17 Rupert Street in central London and was in the Royal Observer Corps from 1939-1945. He returned to production in 1941 working on One of Our Aircraft Is Missing and A Matter of Life and Death for Michael Powell. He joined P.F.F. in charge of still photographic research for Independent Frame Experiments. He toured the U.S. and Mexico to investigate still photographic equp=ipment and colour processes for the J. Arthur Rank Organisation and was in charge of still photographic developments for D. and P. Studios.

The portrait is in very good condition with slight surface marks and a credit list taped to the reverse.